De Blasio blasts 9/11 truther ballot initiative

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday denounced an effort by an off-shoot of the 9/11 truth movement to force the city to investigate the collapse of 7 World Trade Center during the terrorist attack 13 years ago.

"From what I've heard it's absolutely ridiculous," a peeved Mr. de Blasio said in response to a reporter's question. "And it's inappropriate, after all the suffering that went on 9/11 and since. It seems to be this is a very insensitive and inappropriate action."

The so-called High Rise Safety Initiative, a group of 9/11 conspiracy theorists who reject the government's explanations for the collapse of 1, 2 and 7 World Trade Center, recently submitted tens of thousands of petition signatures to force a question onto the November ballot, as reported by Crain's. They hope to give voters the chance to compel the city to investigate the collapse of 7 WTC, which they consider to be suspicious.

The ballot initiative would have to be confirmed by the City Council first, and Mr. de Blasio said Thursday that it was his hope the council would reject the measure.

"I believe the City Council will share our view that this should never be on the ballot," he said, with Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito nodding in agreement beside him.

In 2009, the city successfully challenged in court an attempt to include a referendum on the ballot calling for an investigation into 7 WTC's collapse. But even if the council rejects this latest effort, the High Rise Safety Initiative could still put its question to voters by collecting enough signatures.

wrote on 07/10/14 at 9:23 PM

The mayor and city council would be wise to learn some basic physics if they wish to comment on Building 7. The NIST report falls short of both logic and science. The mayor and council members are also offensive in their callous remarks about the victims' families who are part of the initiative..

wrote on 07/11/14 at 1:08 PM

What is the Mayor afraid of? Why does Crainsnewyork (this webpage) call the laws of physics "a theory"? Building seven was 52 floors high. It suffered a complete and symmetrical collapse - roof to ground - in a time frame that was clearly less than 10 seconds. This building was not hit by a plane and suffered only spot fires on a fraction of its total floors. The average time for all 52 floors was 1/5 of a second per floor. This speed and the near perfect symmetry qualifies the collapse of building 7 as controlled demolition. The laws of physics dictate this had to be controlled demolition. One fifth of a second per floor. It is a laughable lie to say that NIST's explanations pass mustard in terms of using the scientific method of critical review for their THEORY that building seven magically suffered a total and symmetrical collapse at a rate of speed that was nearly a free fall rate, from spot fires alone.

wrote on 07/11/14 at 1:47 PM

Has he heard that the rushed 9/11 Commission had a mere $15 million dollars and no subpoena power? (How many millions were spent on the 9/11 museum? Or each Hollywood movie based on some sliver of the event? $50 million was spent investigating the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. Was 9/11 that much less complex or significant?)

Has the mayor heard that numerous commissioners now publicly complain that they were actively deceived and blocked in their limited, underfunded, rushed "investigation"? Are these frustrated commissioners being "insensitive"?

Are we a post-evidence society now? There hasn't been a single 9/11 trial to present and examine facts -- just torture-prompted confessions and absurdly opaque military commissions where the press are treated as the main enemy (and they cant even get those right).

What are we supposed to be afraid of examining? 67,000 citizens of New York City (representing the will of many more) want what they shouldn't have to petition for: a complete and independent investigation. How is that "inappropriate", "insensitive" or an affront to "all the suffering", Mr. Mayor?

wrote on 07/16/14 at 12:10 PM

@Marzi:

Perhaps he's rather have banning LARGE SODAS as a major part of his legacy? Maybe that is more important to him?In fairness, the truth is well documented as to what brought the Towers down and what needs to be done to avoid that from happening again. Still putting it on a ballot is not outrageous however it doesn't appear that NY has oodles of money to spend on this. For those what are unaware of the buildings flaws, I suggest googling it or reading a few books on it. 102 Minutes by Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn have explanations that are in line with basic physics.

wrote on 07/26/14 at 1:53 PM

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